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12"
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MSK 013EP
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Arriving on a limited 200-copy translucent orange vinyl, "Dark REM" on Cuddling Monsters' second release on Mask Records is a hunched-over and direct dub techno cut with forceful drums and deft percussion, adding texture next to warm, sustained pads. There's a real sense of urgency in this most frictionless groove, which means it cannot fail to cast a spell on the dance floor. The fantastic "Event Horizon" is then infused with the aura of deep space -- sustained chords with a cosmic edge add vast scale to the well-programmed deep techno drums. "Monster Talk" is a mid-tempo dub track with underlapping drums and rattling, rusted chords that disappear to infinity. It's cavernous and evocative, with myriad little details occupying the mind. "Temporal Aura" is another standout sound that blends deep techno, dub, and minimal into a serene soundtrack that encourages inward reflection while driving onwards through the cosmos. Mask Records founder ZentaSkai and his creative partner Laura Merino Allue are Berlin mainstays helping shape the underground. Cuddling Monsters is a new project that debuted on the label in March, 2024. It is all about crafting music with analogue instruments, which they believe "offer distinctive sonic qualities, creative constraints, and genuine sound reproduction." They explore Detroit-infused house, dub techno and minimal soundscapes with raw edges and a great sense of atmosphere.
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12"
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MSK 011EP
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Mask's ZentaSkai and Laura Merino Allue announce vinyl-only underground house and techno series as Cuddling Monsters. Cuddling Monsters serve up the first vinyl-only volume of a new self-titled series on Berlin-based Mask Records. All four cuts explore deep and classy techno, dub and house soundscapes with the aim of rediscovering the soul of electronic music and forming new bonds between human creativity and technological innovations. ZentaSkai is the Mask founder recognized for his immersive, hypnotic groove, and Allue is a fashion and graphic designer. They are newly assembled under this alias but have a long-time love of vinyl and analog machines, which shows in their sounds. "Crafting music with analog instruments holds profound importance in the contemporary musical landscape. Despite the omnipresence of digital technology, analogue instruments maintain a pivotal role, offering distinctive sonic qualities, creative constraints, and genuine sound reproduction. The tactile, hands-on connection" --Cuddling Monsters. The superbly deep and atmospheric "Lucky Star" is a dubby minimal cut with a deft rhythm and warm pads that are perfect for cozy back rooms. The absorbing "Crystal Growing" is another stripped-back techno roller with rubbery drums and pensive chords that lock you into a state of meditation. Up next is the powerful "Floating Tank" which pairs gorgeous ambient synths with driving drums. It's a great coming together of the physical and the emotional that will take dancefloors to the next level. "Analog Dreams" shuts down with more perfectly smoky pads and grainy lo-fi atmospheres as slick but driving drums power onwards.
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